Healthbeat

Sarah Ravits

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Public Health is currently conducting a comprehensive five-year study of the mid- and long-term effects suffered by women and children who have been exposed to oil. The study, funded in part by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, examines 8,000 participants in the seven parishes affected by the April 2010 Deepwater/BP oil spill and will measure not only physical and mental health effects, but also social effects, such as community and family interactions. Principal investigator is Dr. Edward Trapido.

Ochsner Health System recently signed an agreement with Philips VISICU to implement the eICU Program to enhance critical care. This software detects trends and changing conditions among patients and connects bedside care teams with off-site critical care physicians and nurses via remote monitoring technology. Two-way audio and video capability allows off-site doctors to interact with the bedside medical team and will be especially vital during time-sensitive patient care decisions. The remote ICU program will extend support to rural and community hospitals across the region. Implementation of the programs began last month at Ochsner Baptist Medical Center, as well as the Ochsner Medical Centers in Kenner and Ocshner Baton Rouge.

On the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, August 29, 2011, MSNBC’s “The Ed Show” (starring Ed Schultz) joins the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) to bring free health care and treatment to New Orleans residents. Schultz requests that able people make a donation to the NAFC to set up the free health care clinic in the area. Each participant in the NAFC clinic will receive preventive primary medical care and a list of resources to further treatment should they need it. To date, 10,000 uninsured people have received medical care at similar free clinics sponsored by the NAFC. Information, FreeClinics.us.